Leak in acrlyic!

[DGee]

Based on what? Can you be SURE that a new tank will be 'perfect'?

His 8'x2'x2' has ~48' of seams... Does 1 small problem mean that "the tank was obviously not built right from the get go"

Well in 20+ years of professional fabrication I can tell you that a properly welded joint is stronger than the panel itself. The panel is the weak part and not the joint in a acrylic tank.

So yes I can be SURE without a doubt that a tank that's been designed and built correctly from the start would not be having these issues.

So seeing as this tank has had one weld fail the probability of it continuing is extremely high.

I can't tell for certain, but from the pictures it looks like the tank was built by Tricon, an old company out of Seattle that's no longer in business. Skippy built some decent quality tanks but they definitely were't Envision quality and quite a few of them developed issues overtime.

If I were to build that tank I'd use 1" for the build with the exception of the bottom panel. You could go 3/4 on the sides but I'd prefer to use 1". 1/2" for the bottom of the tank is fine.

Another concern is the radius on the cutouts of the eurobrace, they are too small and can be prone to failure even with the small cutout size.

 

[DGee]

THis is a picture of the white area on the TOP brace seam.

Wow, I hate to be the barer of bad news but this tank is junk... It'll make somebody a nice reptile tank but that's about all it should ever be used for.

I think the probability of this tank giving up up isn't worth the risk but it's your decision.

 

[albano]

Well in 20+ years of professional fabrication ...

If I were to build that tank I'd use 1" for the build with the exception of the bottom panel. You could go 3/4 on the sides but I'd prefer to use 1". 1/2" for the bottom of the tank is fine...

I'm not a "professional fabricator", but I've had acrylic tanks for over 20 yrs...2 of my present tanks are over 20 yrs old... and IMO building that 24" tall tank with 1" acrylic is a total waste of $...even 3/4" is NOT necessary

 

[DGee]

I'm not a "professional fabricator", but I've had acrylic tanks for over 20 yrs...2 of my present tanks are over 20 yrs old... and IMO building that 24" tall tank with 1" acrylic is a total waste of $...even 3/4" is NOT necessary

Well this is obviously where we differ, myself and James are both guilty (according to some) of overbuilding tanks. That's our preference, however we will both stand behind our work indefinitely when it comes to fabrication. I can guarantee my welds won't ever fail.

I base my thickness requirements the same as James would and there isn't a better acrylic builder in the business.

I don't build tanks that bow and a tank that size built out of 1/2" will most definitely have visible deflection, to me that's not acceptable. I wouldn't use anything less than 1" on an 8' length.

You're entitled to your opinion, I have to base mine on what I can afford to guarantee.

 

[NoobReeferdude]

Thanks for all the opinions guys, I will have to see how the repair holds up.
If the James you are referring to is From Envision Acrylics, I have an email shot out to his shop on a bid for a new Tank,
Hes actually very close to where I live, 20 mins or so I spoke on the phone with him the other day not knowing he is "Acrylics" from the forums.

If that is the same James =)

 

[DGee]

Yep, you got him!

James is a great guy and an amazing fabricator. I'll tell you now it won't be cheap but you'll get a top of the line tank that'll let you sleep easy at night and it'll last a lifetime.

It's money well spent.

 

[tkeracer619]

Bowing tanks... who needs them. My 24" tall 360 bows, made from 1/2". It holds and was available for $500 when I needed a large aquarium to QT my fish. Otherwise...

If it was made from 3/4 or 1 it would be my display.

 

[NoobReeferdude]

Well, I made the repair with some 1/2' square rod, and I also did 2 other areas that looks like there may be an issue in the future.
I filled it with water last night and no leaks so far.

Now I need some plumbing ideas. currently I have 2 overflow boxes with a 1" hole and a 3/4" hole in each, I also have 2 pumps , 1 is a Pan World 200PS
(1750) GPH and the other is Dolphin world series Amp master 2100, which im guessing is a 2100 GPH.

Should I use just one of these and use power heads in the tank for flow?
The tank came with both pumps, and the plumbing, but it was setup as a freshwater tank with bio ball system before.. I will be doing a reef tank with a sump/refugium.

Is 1" pvc enough for all the return I need? My overflow can only "overflow" so much water so im confuse as to how they had this setup with 2 pumps.

Any suggestions?
Thanks again!